Aztec Empire

The Ancient Aztec empire’s was named after; Aztlan, or “White Land”. Aztec Religion was created by having over 200 gods based on Aztec citizens daily lives. The Aztec Empire was founded in modern day central and south Mexico. The Spanish conquered the Aztec Empire, in 1521, using thousands of troops, some were allied indigenous troops. The Ancient Aztec empire’s religion was based on gods that represented their daily life, which was founded in modern-day Mexico City. They were conquered by the Spanish in 1521.

The Medieval Aztec Empire’s religion was based on multiple gods, priests and temples. The Ancient Aztec empire’s religion’s main gods were called the sun god and the moon god. These gods had massive temples which the building of started in 100 AD- They even started construction before the Aztecs even arrived in Teotihuacan. They were called the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon.[1] The Aztecs worshiped the sun, moon and stars. [2]Aztec High Priests committed human sacrifice at the top of Aztec temples- however not all were sacrificed willingly.[3] Priests in ancient Aztec times in the Aztec empire were very highly respected and very powerful. There were as many as 200 different gods which represented different parts of Aztec life. Gods included “Sun and War” and “Rain, fertility and water.” The Aztec Empire was founded in Mexico.

The Aztec Empire was founded in the city of Tenochtitlan. The Aztec Empire was founded in the mid 1350’s when they migrated south to central America. Encyclopedia Britanica wrote, “The name Aztec is derived from Aztlán (variously translated as “White Land,” “Land of White Herons,” or “Place of Herons”), an allusion to their origins, probably in northwestern Mexico.”[4] This is an interesting piece of information and gives readers more information about the origins of the Aztec and the meaning behind it. The first city, their capital, was Tenochtitlan or modern-day Mexico City. It was built on an area that’s on top of five connected lakes. The city was said to be founded where an eagle was eating on top of a cactus according to myth.[5] At first the Aztec empire was just a small city state and had to pay tribute to the Tepanec, however they formed an alliance with two other city states and founded the Aztec-Triple-Alliance where they threw off the Tepanec and formed the Aztec Empire, which was located in Central and Southern America. [6]

              The Spanish conquered the Aztecs by besieging the capital city; Mexico City and building the Spanish colonial territory of Mexico on top of it. The Spanish lead by the conquistador, Hernando Cortes, arrived in Mexico in 1519. They wanted gold and they conquered Mexico City in 1521. [7]Modern day Mexico City was built on top of the ruins of Tenochtitlan, which most of it had been looted, burned or sacked, by the Mexican’s.[8] The Spanish, lead by 500 soldiers were able to conquer and destroy an entire civilization- that was in the midst of expanding. However, the Spanish were joined by thousands of Mexican soldiers and were allied with one of the original Aztec three-city alliance. [9]

              The Ancient Aztec Empire was a powerful empire that controlled modern day central and Southern Mexico: was based on 200 gods that represented everyday life, their capital was built on a series of five connected lakes and is the foundation for Modern-Day Mexico City. The Aztec empire was founded in the mid 1350’s by a migrating group of farmers who came from Northwest Mexico. The Spanish conquered the Aztecs in 1521. This topic is very important because it helps us better understand medieval Meso-American civilization, the consequences of colonialism and indigenous culture. It covers a topic that is not frequently taught in school or frequently in mainstream knowledge. We can relate this to modern day removals of indigenous rights and the pro-versus anti-immigration debate. I hope readers consider the benefits and consequences- in the long run and short term of immigration, and going to war versus countries far away from our country just for profit/money.

Citation:

Smithsonian Magazine. “The Rise and Fall of Aztec Civilization?” YouTube video, 5:23. May 10, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0fFpNyNJsM.

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Aztec.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Last modified June 2, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Aztec.

National Geographic Society. “Aztec Civilization.” National Geographic Education. Last updated October 19, 2023. Accessed [7/1/2025]. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/aztec-civilization/ 

HISTORY.com Editors. “Aztecs.” History, A&E Television Networks. Last updated March 5, 2025. Accessed June 27, 2025. https://www.history.com/articles/aztecs.

History Crunch. “Aztec Religion and Gods.” YouTube video, 21: ?? (approximate). Published August 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5ENwoRkXG8.

1.       [1] Smithsonian Magazine, “The Rise and Fall of Aztec Civilization?” YouTube video, 5:23, May 10, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0fFpNyNJsM.

[2] History Crunch, “Aztec Religion and Gods,” YouTube video, 21: ??, published August 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5ENwoRkXG8.

[3] History Crunch, “Aztec Religion and Gods.”

1.       [4] The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, “Aztec,” Encyclopædia Britannica, last modified June 2, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Aztec.

[5] National Geographic Society, “Aztec Civilization,” National Geographic Education, last updated October 19, 2023, accessed [your access date], https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/aztec-civilization/. 

[6] National Geographic Society, “Aztec Civilization.”

[7] National Geographic Society, “Aztec Civilization.”

[8] National Geographic Society, “Aztec Civilization.”

[9] The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, “Aztec.”